IPL 2024: Painful but Proud - Ab de Villiers pens Heartfelt message for RCB after Elimination

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It has been a huge anticlimax as Royal Challengers Bengaluru got ousted from IPL 2024 after losing to Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator on Wednesday (May 22).

After a six-match winning run which registered their place in the playoffs, the RCB fans were dreaming for a glory year. But it all went out of the window as they lost the 'Royal Rumble' against the Rajasthan Royals.

Although the mood will be poignant in the RCB camp and amongst their fans, RCB legend AB de Villiers has found pride amid the pain.

De Villiers, who spent the majority of his IPL career with RCB, is hugely popular among the fans. The South African is also an avid RCB supporter, who felt the disappointment after their defeat.

Despite that, De Villiers hailed the way the Bengaluru outfit came back and made their fans believe in this IPL 2024. The former South Africa player also believes that the franchise will return stronger next season.

"It's always painful to lose. But as a fan, I'm proud of the boys for making us believe, even when all hope seemed lost at the start of May. I'm sure #RCB will come back stronger next year and bring home that elusive title," De Villiers wrote on his X profile.

Indeed, one has to hail the way RCB managed to roar back. After seven defeats in the first eight matches, they came back strongly to win their last six and managed to squeeze a place in the playoffs. Virat Kohli was again the supreme performer, with more than 700 runs this season.

RCB's defeat means Rajasthan Royals will play the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Qualifier 2 on Friday at the Chepauk. The winner of that match will clash against the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Final on Sunday (May 26).